Soccer 101: Fundamentals of Free Kicks

Learn how to master the steps of a free kick to help change the game in your team’s favor.

It is late in the second half of a scoreless game. Your team takes control of the ball and pushes the attack down the field. You look to get into position, but suddenly a whistle cuts through the action and play is stopped.

Your opponent has committed a foul, and your team has been awarded a free kick.

A free kick is awarded to a player when an opponent has committed a foul or participates in unsportsmanlike behavior. There are two types of free kicks: a direct free kick and an indirect free kick.

Direct Free Kick – You’re allowed to kick the ball into the goal and score directly off of this kick.

Indirect Free Kick – In order to score, the ball must first be touched by another player before going into the goal.

So, now that you’ve been granted a free kick, how do you make the most of it?

To begin, take two or three steps back behind the ball, then take two or three steps to the side. Move to the left if you kick with you right foot and to the right if you kick with your left foot.

When approaching the ball, keep your plant leg in mind. You want to make sure this foot is pointing in the direction you plan to your attempt.

Consider striking the ball one of two ways — when hitting the ball with your laces, the free kick should have more power behind it, while kicking the ball with your instep should create more of a finesse kick and can add more accuracy to the kick.

Now get out there and get ready to ace your free kick. It could be the deciding factor that leads your team to victory!

Is your opponent getting ready to execute a free kick? If so, learn how to set up a wall to help support your goalkeeper.